By: Jonny Rico, San Diego based football writer
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As a kid who spent plenty time in the corner of the classroom for the various mischievous things I did, I am proud to call the lower right corner of the United States of America my home. There really is no other place like San Diego, California. And despite the lack of an MLS side, soccer maters here.
At age five I begun to play youth soccer. Back then there was no professional team (some might argue there still isn’t but I disagree) with an established youth system but regardless San Diego was still able to establish itself as one of the best youth soccer cities in the country.
I only played recreational soccer because I was neither good enough nor rich enough to afford the private prestigious clubs that dwell in America’s Finest City.
But living in San Diego gave a huge advantage that I now use on a daily basis.
MLS wasn’t even a dream yet but I was still was able to sit in front of the TV and enjoy high quality soccer. Living in a border town the ‘Rabbit-Ear’ antenna on my TV was able to pick up the local Mexican channels from Tijuana.
We played soccer in the school yard, talked about soccer during class while the teachers tried to teach, attended my team’s soccer practices after school, played soccer games on Saturday mornings and spent the rest of the afternoon and most of Sundays watching Mexican soccer on TV. Nowhere else in the United States could I have had that lifestyle.
It was a Mexican experience but it was also a very American experience.
Today friends and colleagues turn to me and pick my brain like as if it contained some sort of Liga MX encyclopedia. As you read this, another champion will be added, almost certainly Santos Laguna.
In 2007 San Diego received an unintentional blessing. Right across the border Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente was born. A real and serious professional soccer team was founded. Some might make the argument that ‘Xolos’ are a Mexican club in Mexico and has nothing to do with San Diego in the USA.
(See: Tijuana Xolos – the most American of Mexican clubs )
But it is never as simple as that. San Diego and Tijuana are intertwined more than people want to believe. The people of Tijuana have adopted the San Diego Chargers and the San Diego Padres as their NFL and MLB team; so why can’t people from San Diego accept the Xoloitzcuintles as their team. Pronounce it Sholos. They don’t care. No one else is putting up a soccer team in the region and American voices, the English language and of course our currency are very welcome there.
With Club Tijuana established right across the border it brings many benefits to the San Diego population. Every other Friday night there is a high quality soccer game to go see and enjoy. Prices can be cheaper than a Chargers game and sometimes about the same as a Padres game.
Big and historic teams now come and play MEANINGFUL GAMES! San Diego has seen the Mexican National Team, Club America, Cruz Azul, Chivas, and many more during meaningless preseason friendlies. Now those clubs come to Tijuana to play in important league and playoffs matches. Earlier this year, Xolos were invited to Seattle to be the best supported club and current table toppers in the USA’s international friendly opponents.
Xolos in Seattle photo gallery
Add to that the fact that the Xolos has been able to achieve success in the form of qualifying to important international competitions like South America’s Copa Libertadores and North America’s most important club competition CONCACAF Champions League.
And finally the club has established youth academies on both sides of the border.
Kids like me who grow up loving soccer, wanting to play at all times when there isn’t an important match happening, now have a wonderful opportunity.
With the Xolos Academy FC in Chula Vista which caters to all kids ages five through 19, kids have the chance to grow, learn, and have their skills developed by a professional soccer team and professional coaches.
Long live soccer, long live San Diego, long live soccer in San Diego!
